Group 1: Type of Report

CHAPTER ONE

METEOROLOGY FLIGHT PLANNING

105.

METAR FORMAT

A METAR example is shown below in Figure 1-2 with each coded group underlined and labeled

for reference during the following discussion. METARs have two sections: the body of the

report and the remarks section.

Group 1: Type of Report

The first word of the report line, either "METAR" or "SPECI," will indicate which of these two

main types of observations was reported (Figure 1-3).

METAR: An hourly routine scheduled observation containing wind, visibility, runway visual

range, present weather, sky condition, temperature/dew point, and altimeter setting. Additional

coded data or plain language information that elaborates on the report may be included in the

"Remarks" section.

SPECI: A SPECIal, unscheduled observation containing all the data elements found in a

METAR whenever critical data have changed from the previous observation (reasons are too

numerous to cover in this course). All SPECI are made as soon as possible after the element

criteria are observed.

Figure 1-2 METAR Code Group

METAR KNPA 082255Z 27004KT 7/8SM R04/4500FT DZ FG SCT000 BKN011 OVC380

19/18 A2997 RMK VIS1/2V1 CIG009V013 FG SCT000 BKN TOPS 027 SLP149

SPECI KNPA 082317Z 31020G30KT 3/8SM R04/2500FT VCTS SCT000 BKN006 OVC380

17/17 A2993 RMK VIS1/8V1 CIG004V008 FG SCT000 BKN TOPS 350 SLP136

Figure 1-3 Type of Report: METAR or SPECI

1-4 AVIATION ROUTINE WEATHER REPORTS AND TERMINAL AERODROME

FORECASTS